Chapter Sixty-Seven: Is This Considered an Official Invitation?

"Anyi! Over here!" As soon as Qin Anyi stepped out of the detention center, he spotted Wei Dong, his face alight with excitement as he leapt from an unassuming Passat. Shouting, he dashed toward Qin Anyi, his slightly short and stocky figure crashing straight into Qin Anyi without the slightest pause. The impact was so strong that even Qin Anyi staggered back half a step, a testament to Wei Dong’s hearty exuberance.

"Damn, everything’s finally settled. Anyi, these six days must have been rough on you! I won’t say much else—what you endured was for my sake, and I’ll never forget it. Come over to my place for dinner tonight. I wanted to book a table at a hotel, but my father insisted on meeting you at home," Wei Dong said, grinning broadly, his excitement uncontained. "My old man holds you in the highest regard. He said that if we hadn’t gotten the jump on the forensic evidence, we wouldn’t have dared to take such bold action, and there’s no way things would’ve wrapped up so cleanly and decisively."

Qin Anyi smiled calmly, "How about another day—tomorrow, perhaps? After six days inside, my family must be terribly worried. I’d like to go home tonight, to set my parents’ minds at ease." Though his words were phrased as a question, his tone brooked no objection.

"Of course, of course, you’re absolutely right. Family comes first—you should go home," Wei Dong agreed readily, smacking his own head as if chiding himself. "We’ll do it tomorrow, then. I’ll report to my dad."

Qin Anyi nodded and patted Wei Dong on the shoulder, just as Wang Yiran emerged from the Passat as well. Unlike Wei Dong's exuberance, Wang Yiran was composed, her emotions unreadable. She simply waved quietly at Qin Anyi. But Qin Anyi understood well that, for someone of Wang Yiran’s character, to come in person to greet him outside the detention center spoke volumes.

"Sorry for making you worry," Qin Anyi said apologetically as he approached.

"I wouldn’t say I was worried. It’s just a regular detention center—nothing that could trouble you. But next time, if anything like this happens, you must tell me in advance and consider my opinion. Because… you’re not the same as before. The responsibilities you bear now, you might not even fully realize yourself," Wang Yiran replied gently, though her underlying displeasure was clear to Qin Anyi.

"I understand," Qin Anyi nodded, making a promise.

"Did anything happen during those six days? I get the feeling… you seem different from before," Wang Yiran asked, scrutinizing him with a hint of curiosity.

"Uh… nothing, really. Just regular detention life. I haven’t bathed in six days, maybe I just look a little dirtier?" Qin Anyi’s heart skipped a beat. Could changes in his spirit really be so visible?

"It’s not about cleanliness—it’s your aura, your presence. There’s something different about it," Wang Yiran said, a bit mystified herself. She shook her head and added, "Maybe it’s just my imagination. Let’s get in the car; it’s not convenient to talk out here."

Wei Dong cheerfully claimed the front passenger seat, gave the driver Qin Anyi’s home address, then turned around, bursting to recount every detail of the past six days to Qin Anyi, leaving nothing out. He talked for nearly half an hour.

"So you’re saying the case is now on hold, waiting for a joint investigation team from the province and the central authorities?" Qin Anyi asked with a slight frown.

"Right. Our mayor is at the vice-ministerial level, and any investigation involving someone of that rank has to be led by the central authorities. But it’s all basically settled. If it hadn’t been for the tremendous support from your side, we wouldn’t have achieved such results in just six days," Wei Dong said, grinning sheepishly at Wang Yiran. This incident had made him see her in a completely new light. He had never imagined Wang Yiran wielded such influence—enough to have Wang Shi arrested and extract every valuable confession from him in just six days. It was all thanks to the power backing Wang Yiran.

Most importantly, Wei Dong still had no idea how Wang Yiran had managed to completely suppress the counterattack from Mayor Zhou Lingming, leaving him helpless as the situation unraveled before his eyes. Though the case was officially paused and the investigation only publicly touched on Wang Shi’s level, those privy to the inside story knew Zhou Lingming was finished. All eyes were now on Wei Qinghai, the young, almost unnaturally accomplished vice-minister, with endless speculation about his formidable background. Only Wei Dong knew the incredible outcome owed little to his father’s connections—Wang Yiran’s intervention for Qin Anyi was the sole reason.

From the first time Wang Yiran introduced him, Qin Anyi could imagine the terrifying reach of the Honorary Dragon Cavalry. Yet for all their power, he knew there must also be countless restraints—and still, they had intervened in such a relatively minor matter for his sake. The pressure on Wang Yiran must be immense.

"Sorry," Qin Anyi gently took Wang Yiran’s hand, apologizing again, this time for something entirely different.

"This time was unavoidable—and let’s make it clear, don’t let it happen again. There are things I’ll gradually let you know. But I’ll accept your apology; it really was troublesome. And for a whole week, you neglected your duties as my personal coach—you’ll have to make that up," Wang Yiran replied lightly, understanding the real reason for his apology. In truth, the complications behind the scenes were far greater than they appeared, so much so that even her father, with his status in the Dragon Cavalry, had been overwhelmed. But she had no intention of letting Qin Anyi know any of that.

"I’ll make up for the time I owe. How about dinner at my place tonight? There’s no one at your home, and since I’ve just gotten out, I should go home first. I’m afraid I can’t train with you tonight," Qin Anyi ventured.

"Is this a formal invitation?" Wang Yiran asked with a smile.

Wei Dong immediately straightened up in the front seat, his posture impeccable, his ears nevertheless pricked with interest.

"Uh… not really, just bringing a classmate home for a meal," Qin Anyi replied, scratching his head, a little flustered.

"But… we’re not just classmates, are we?" Wang Yiran smiled.

"Well, that’s not exactly—" Qin Anyi had intended to say they were just pretending, but then remembered there were others in the car. Although Wei Dong was his best friend, he preferred not to reveal everything.

"Bringing your girlfriend home in your senior year—is that really okay?" he said, quickly changing the subject.

"Don’t worry, as long as they’re elders, there’s no way they won’t like me. With a beauty like me, you’d better move fast before someone else does. I promise Uncle and Auntie won’t say a word against you," Wang Yiran replied with a mischievous grin.

Qin Anyi could only open his mouth, find nothing to say, and nod in resignation.